PPAF sets up disaster relief fund, pledges Rs 300 million

The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has set up a 'Disaster Relief Fund' and pledged Rs 300 million to help support victims of the devastating earthquake that hit AJK, NWFP and Northern Pakistan, says a press release issued by the fund secretariat here on Thursday.
The World Bank, PPAF's major donor, has allowed diversion of funds from its normal operations for relief work. A disaster management committee, chaired by CEO PPAF with a representation from civil society, private sector, Pakistan Army, GoP and PPAF management has also been formed to manage & co-ordinate the PPAF three tier strategy which in the first phase will concentrate on immediate relief, while the 2nd and 3rd stages will focus on rehabilitation and reconstruction.
PPAF has also donated Rs one million to the President's Relief Fund along with a contribution of one-day salary from employees.
A PPAF disaster relief centre has been set up in Islamabad and for more effective and targeted interventions, PPAF is also setting up five relief centres at Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Mansehra & Balakot to ensure swift delivery to earthquake victims in a more co-ordinated manner.
The PPAF relief operations are focused in the areas of AJK & NWFP and is being carried out in conjunction with civil society organisation, Pakistan Army and international relief agencies already working for the same end and comprises of three phases.
As part of the first phase, 30 truckloads of food items, lifesaving drugs, water, milk, tents, medicines, clothing, quilts and blankets worth Rs 15 million have been dispatched to the affected areas. In addition on site extensive airdrops have been managed through 10 Corps (Islamabad) & 11 Corps (Peshawar) of Pakistan Army.
In the second phase, the PPAF relief operation would prioritise the restoration of infrastructure. One important decision in this regard envisages the rehabilitation of PPAF-funded infrastructural projects.
In the last phase PPAF will come forward for construction of low cost housing, shelters and infrastructure of required structural strength for poor communities in the affected areas.
The partner organisations of the PPAF are an important element also to help disaster prone areas and victims in their time of need. Several of the partner organisations have set up relief operations of their own. PPAF funded organisations including National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), Islamic Relief (IR), Women Welfare Organisation Poonch (WWOP), Omer Asghar Khan Development Foundation and others have also dispatched relief goods to the affected areas.